Controlling device for inking and damping mechanisms.



W. J. MAIN.

CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR INKING AND DAMPING MECHANISMS.

APPLLLOATION FILED JAN 7, 1909. 999,5 10. Patented Aug. 1,1911.

4 SHEETSSHEET 1.

W/TNEiSES. NVENTOR. 1

W. J. MAIN.

CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR INKING AND DAMPING MECHANISMS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 7, 1909.

Patented Aug. 1, 1911.

4 SHEETSSHEET 2.

W. J. MAIN.

CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR INKING AND DAMPING MECHANISMS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. I, 1909. I

Patented Aug. 1, 1911.

4 SHEETSSHEET 3.

W/TNE E8.

INVENTOR.

v W. J. MAIN. CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR INKING AND DAMPING MECHANISMS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 7, 1909. 999,510, Patented Aug. 1, 1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

WITNESSES. INVENTOR,

a. m WM WILLIAM J. MAIN, OF WEST PORT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNEASSIGNMENTS,

TO B. HOE AND CO., OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR INKING AND DAMPING MECHANISMS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM J. MAIN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Westport, county of Fairfield, and State of Connecticut,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Controlling Devicesfor Inking and Damping Mechanisms, fully described and represented inthe following specification and the accompanying drawings, forming apart of the same.

This invention relates to certain improvements in devices for operatinginking and damping mechanisms.

In printing machines provided with planographic printing surfaces, it isnecessary at times to separate the printing sur face and the inking anddamping mechanisms, and, in order that the inking mechanism shall notcome in contact with the plate at any time when the plate is notsuitably damped, it is desirable that the construction shall be suchthat the damping mechanism shall surely have dampened the surface beforethe inking mechanism comes into contact with it. To insure theseconditions, it is desirable, when the surface and inking-and dampingmechanism are separatedand brought together, that the inking mechanismmove out of contact with the printing surface ahead of the dampingmechanism and that the damping mechanism move into contact with theprinting surface ahead of the inking mechanism.

This invention has for its object to produce an improved mechanism forcontrolling the movement of the inking and damping mechanisms ofmachines provided with planographic printing surfaces, the improvedmechanism being of such a character that the damping mechanism movesinto contact with the surface before the inking mechanism and out ofcontact therewith after the inking mechanism is out of contact.

A further object of the invention is to produce animproved mechanism forprinting machines provided with planographic surfaces in which theinking mechanismshall be moved out of contact with the surface beforethe damping mechanism and the damping mechanism be moved out of contactwith the surface after the inking mechanism moves out, the mechanismfurther including'means by which the damping mechanism may be held incontact with the print- Specification of Letters Patent.

' face.

Patented Aug. 1, 1911.

Application filed January 7, 1909. Serial No. 471,097.

ing surface and the inking mechanism out of contact therewith.

With these and other objects not specifically referred to in View, theinvention consists in certain constructions and in certain parts,improvements and combinations as will be hereinafter fully described andthen specifically pointed out.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,F iguI-e 1 illustrates oneembodiment of the invention, the parts being shown in the position theyoccupy when both the inking and damping mechanisms are out of contactwith the printing surface. Fig. 2 illustrates the construction shown inF ig; 1,

- but with the parts in the position they occupy when the inking anddamping mechanisms are in contact with the printing sur Fig. 3illustrates the same construction as that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, butshows some of the parts in an intermediate position and with the dampingmechanism alone in contact with the printing surface. Fig. 4 is a detailView illustrating certain locking mechanism which may be employed.

Referring to drawings which illustrate one embodiment of the invention,1 indicates a printing cylinder which is provided with a planographicsurface, such, for instance, as an aluminum or zinc plate. Suitableinking mechanism will be provided for inking the printing surface, whichmechanism may be varied in its construction and in the manner ofmounting the same. In the particular construction illustrated, there isprovided a pair of brackets 2, these brackets being pivoted on a shaft3, this shaft, in the construction shown, being the shaft of one of thedistributing rolls. These brackets 2 are provided with socket holders 3and in these socket holders are mounted sockets 4 which support thejournals 5 of the form rollers 6. These form rollers, in the particularconstruction illustrated, derive their ink from rolls 7 provided withgears 8, these gears meshing with gears 9 which in turn mesh with a gear10 on the roll supported on the shaft 3. In-

termediate rolls, not shown, transfer the ink from the roll to the rolls7, the construction being a usual one. The gear 10, in the particularconstruction illustrated, is driven from a gear 11 on the printingcylinder, this gear driving an intermediate 12.

The damping mechanism employed may be varied widely both in itsconstruction and in its mode of mounting. In the particular constructionshown, there is PI'OVldGd. a bracket/13 mounted on'a shaft 14 su tablysupported in the frame. This bracket is provided with socket holders 15which carry sockets 16 in which the shafts 17 of the damping rolls 18are mounted. The damping rolls, in the particular constructionillustrated, derive their moisture from a roll 19 which in turn receivesit from a fountain, not shown. The shaft of this roll 19 is providedwith a gear 20 which meshes with an intermediate 21, this intermediatein turn meshing with a gear 22 loose on the shaft 14. This loose withthe cylinder ahead of the inking rolls.

The particular construction of this controller may be varied. As shown,it includes a plate 21 mounted on the shaft 25 of the cylinder 1, thisplate being provided with cam surfaces for effecting t e movementsreferred toof the inking and damping mechanisms. While these camsurfaces may be variously arranged, as shown, the plate 24 has on itsrear side, or side next the frame, cam grooves 26 and on its, front sidea cam groove 27, these grooves being formed in bosses cast on the plate.The connections between the cam sur aces referred to and the inking anddamping mechanisms may be varied, but as shown, the inking mechanismbrackets are provided with extensions 28, these extensions having rollsor studs 29 thereon which en age the cam grooves 26. The means by whichits cam surface moves the damping mechanism may be also varied. Asshown, the shaft 14 on which the bracket 13 is fast is provided with anarm 30, this arm carrying a cam roll or stud which engages in the camgroove 27 before referred to. 7 Referring to Fig. 1, it will be seenthat as the controller plate 24 starts to move, the cam rolls on theextension 28 of the inking roll brackets will travel in a part of thegrooves 26 which is concentric with the center of the printing rollshaft 25, so that there will be no movement of the inking roll brackets,but during this part of the movement of the plate, the roll on the arm30 travels in a part of the cam groove 27 which is eccentric with thecenter of the shaft, so that this part of the movementof the controllerplate rocks the shaft 14 and brings the damping rolls into contact withthe surface of the cylinder. Durin the further movement of the plate,the rol on the arm 30 travels in a part of the groove 27 which isconcentric with the shaft so that there is no further movement of thedamping rolls, but the rolls on the extensions 28 now travel in parts ofthe grooves 26 eccentric with the shaft 25 so that the brackets 2 areswung and the inking rolls brought into position to ink the surface ofthe cylinder. When the inking and damping mechanisms are to move out ofcontact with the cylinder, the same operations take place but in reverseorder.

It will be observed that the movement of the inking and dampingmechanisms takes place independently of any movement of the cylinder. Inot er words, when the inkin and damping mechanisms are moved eit er intoor out of position the cylinder 1 remains stationary, that is to say, itis relatively stationary with respect to the movement of the inking anddamping mechanisms which results from the operation of the controller.

The means for moving the controller plate may be considerably varied,but in constructions embodying the invention in its best form, the meanswill be such as to lock the controller plate with the inking and dampingmechanisms in their in or.out position. As shown, there is provided arock-shaft 31 which may be conveniently provided with a handle 32 bywhich it is operated. This rock shaft has on it a crank arm 33' whicharm is connected with the controller plate '24 by a link 35, thearrangement of the link and crank arm being such that when the rollsreach their in position the link passes into at that time is in verticalposition. The rolls are, therefore, thus locked in their in position,since the weight of the parts has no tendency to throw the arm and linkout of their strai ht line position and thus rock the shaft. hen therolls reach their out position, see Fig. 1, the studs on the extensions28 and on the arm 30 are lying in the concentric part of the cam groovesin the controller plate. The weight of the parts, therefore, tends tomove the studs inward on substantially, radial lines toward the centeron which the controller plate-rocks. The weight of the parts, ency tomove the controller plate so that the rolls are locked in their outposition.

It is frequently desirable to run the press with the water rolls alonein contact with the printing surface, so that a thorough damping of thissurface is insured before it comes in contact with the inking rolls. In

the construction shown, this may be accomplished by swinging therock-shaft 31 so that the crank 32 will occupy a position in-'termediate those which it occupies in the in.

and out positions 'of the rolls, this position being illustrated in Fig.3. Means may be therefore, has no tend line with the crank arm whichfit) water rolls independently of the controller.

\Vhile this may be accomplished in various ways, in the constructionshown, the shaft l-t is provided with an arm 39 this arm carrying aT-bolt 40 which extends through a slot 41 in the arm 30 before referredto. By loosening this T-bolt the shaft 14: may be rocked independentlyof the movement of the arm 30.

It will be observed that the printing cylinder shaft 25 is mounted insliding boxes 50, these boxes being adjustable by set screws 51 tappedinto the frame in the usual manner. The cylinder is, however, relativelystationary with respect to the inking and damping mechanisms, that is tosay, it has no movement during the time these mechanisms are moved intoand out of position.

Changes and variations may be made in the construction by which theinvention is carried into effect. The invention is not, therefore. to beconfined to the particular construction herein shown and described.

What is claimed is 1. The combination with a relatively stationaryprinting cylinder having a planographic printing surface, of acontroller,

means for shifting the position of the con-' troller, means forsupporting an inking mechanism, means for supporting a dampingmechanism, mechanical connections between the controller and both saidso porting means, whereby the movement 0 the controller ,causes bothmechanisms to move into contact with the cylinder with the dampingmechanism ahead of the inking mechanism and both mechanisms to move outof contact with the cylinder with the inking mechanism ahead of thedamping mechanism.

2. The combination with a relatively stationary printing cylinderhaving-a planographic printing surface, of a controller,

' means for shifting the position of the controller, brackets forsupporting sets of inking and damping rolls, mechanical connectionsbetween the controller and the brackets, whereby the movement of thecontroller causes both sets of rolls to move into contact with theprinting cylinder with the damp--' ing rolls ahead of the inking rollsand both sets to move out of contact with the cylinder with the inkingrolls aheadof the dampmg rolls.

3. The combination with a printing cylinder having a planographicprinting surface, of a controller rovided with operating cams, means forshifting the position of the controller, brackets for supporting sets ofinking and damping rolls, and operating connections between the camsurfaces and the brackets whereby the movement of the controller causesboth sets of rolls to move into contact with the printing cylinder withthe damping rolls ahead of the inking rolls and both sets to move out ofcontact with the v cylinder with theinking rolls ahead of the dampingrolls.

4. The combination with a relatively stationary printing cylinder havinga planographic printin surface, of a pivoted con-. troller, means orshifting the position of the controller, brackets for supporting sets ofinking and damping rolls, and operating connections between thecontroller and the brackets whereby the movement of the controllercauses both sets of rolls to move into contact with the printingcylinder with the graphic printing surface, of a .controller,

means for shifting the position -of the controller, means for supportingan inking mechanism, means for supporting a damping mechanism,connections between the controller and said mechanisms whereby themovement of the controller causes both mechanisms to move into contactwith the printing cylinder with the damping mechanism ahead of theinking mechanism and both mechanisms to move out of contact with theprinting cylinder with the inking mechanism ahead of the dampingmechanism, and means whereby a movement of the damping mechanism may beeffected independently of the controller.

6. The combination with a printing cylinder having a planographicprinting surface, of pivoted brackets carrying inking and damping rolls,extensions from the brackets, a controller having cam surfaces arrangedto produce a movement of the brackets, so that the inking and dampingrolls shall move into contact with the cylinder with the damping rollsahead of the inking rolls and shall move out of contact with thecylinder with the inking rolls ahead of the damping rolls, and means formoving the controller,

7. The combination with a printing cylinder having a planographicprlnting surface, of pivoted brackets carrying inking and damping rolls,extensions from the brackets, a controller having cam surfaces arrangedto produce a movement of the brackets, so that the inking and dampingrolls shall shall move out of contact with the cylinder with the inkingrolls ahead of the damping.

rolls, means for'moving the controller, and means for ermitting amovement of the damping ro ls independently of the'con troller.

8. The combination with a printing cylin der having a planographicprinting surface,

- of a rocking cam plate mounted on the shaft of the cylinder, pivotedbrackets c'arr' ing Y inking and damping rolls, extensions rom thebrackets to the cam plate, the cams on the plate being arranged to rockthe brackets and move the inking and damping rolls into contact with thecylinder with the damping rolls ahead of the inking rolls and out ofcontact with the cylinder with the inking rolls ahead of the dampingrolls, and means for rocking the cam plate.

\ 9. The combination with a relatively stationary printing cylinderhaving 9. lanographlc printing surface, of inking and dampingmechanisms, a movable controller, manually operated actuating devicesfor the controller, connections whereby the controller moves the inkingand damping mechanisms into contact with the cylinder with the dampingmechanism ahead of the inking mechanism and out of contact with thecylinder with the inking mechanism ahead of the damping mechanism, andmeans for locking the controller with said mechanisms either in or outof contact with the-cylinder and also in a position intermediate the twowith the damping mechanism in contact with the cylinder.

10. The combinationwith a relatively stationary printing cylinder havinga planographic printing surface, of inking and damping mechanisms,a'swinging controller, connections between the controller and saidmechanisms whereby the movement of the controller moves said mechanismsinto contact with the cylinder with the damping mechanism ahead of theinking mechanism and out of contact with the cylinder with the inkingmechanism ahead of the damping mechanism, said connections beingconstructed to lock the controller with said mechanisms in their outposition, manually operated actuating devices for the controllerconstructed to lock it with the inking and damping mechanisms in theirin position,

and a lock for holding the controller in intermediate position with thedamping 'mechanism alone in contact with the cylinder.

11. The combinationwith a printing cylinder having a planographicprinting surface, of inking and dam ing mechanisms, a pivoted controllerprovi ed with cam surfaces, connections including studs cooperating withthe cam surfaces, whereby. said surfaces cause the inking and dampingmechanisms to move into and out of contact with the cylinder, the studsand cams being so arranged thatthe controller is locked with the inkingand damping mechanisms in their out position, an operating crank, and apivoted link between the controller and the crank, saidlink and crankbeing arranged to pass into line when the controller has moved saidmechanisms-into their in position and thus lock the mechanisms in suchposition.

12. The combination with a printing'cylinder having a planographicprinting surface, ofv inking and damping mechanisms, a pivotedcontroller provided with cam surfaces, connections including studscooperating with the cam surfaces, whereby said surfaces cause theinking and dampingmechanisms to move into and out of contact with thecylinder, the studs and cams being so arranged that the controller islocked with the. inking and damping mechanisms in their out position, anoperating crank, a pivoted link between the controller and the crank,said link and crank being arranged to pass into line when the controllerhas moved said mechanisms into their in position and thus lock themechanisms in such position, and a lock for the crank arranged to holdthe crank in an intermediate position with the damping mechanism incontact with the cylinder.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM J. MAIN.

lVitnesses:

WM. F. MORGAN, H. CRAGKER.

